Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced INFICON, Inc., a leading provider of instrumentation, sensor technologies and advanced process control software for a variety of industries including the semiconductor and precision-optic sectors, will expand its manufacturing operations in East Syracuse. The company will invest $20 million to build an addition to its existing facility, creating 40 new high-paying jobs and retaining 240 existing jobs. The project, supported by the Governor’s Central New York Regional Economic Development Council (CNYREDC), will enable INFICON to increase capacity and efficiency and better compete in the global marketplace.
“This investment will strengthen Central New York’s advanced manufacturing industry, create new jobs in Upstate New York today and build a foundation for even more employment opportunities in the future,” said Governor Cuomo. “New York needs companies competing in the global economy and INFICON’s expansion will allow them to do just that by increasing production and tapping into more markets around the world. I commend the Central New York REDC for identifying this priority project and am pleased to support such a smart, strategic investment in growing the upstate economy.”
Empire State Development (ESD), through the CNYREDC, is providing INFICON with a $1 million grant and $1.5 million in performance-based Excelsior Jobs program tax credits, which secured the expansion project in the Central New York region instead of at one of the company’s other global locations.
Peter Maier, president of INFICON Inc. said, “INFICON is pleased to have such strong support from all of our elected officials to make this local project a reality. This $20 million dollar expansion will lead to the creation of high quality local jobs in research and development and world-class product manufacturing and drive continued growth in our export business."
INFICON, which has been in business in Central New York for nearly half a century and is near capacity in its current 30 year-old building, will construct and equip a 64,000 square-foot addition to its existing 140,000 square-foot manufacturing facility. This is the first phase of a multi-phase expansion plan that will allow the company to continue to grow and improve sales and exports, as well as increase its portfolio of new products through increased research and development.
ESD President, CEO & Commissioner Kenneth Adams said, “More and more companies with a global presence, like INFICON, are investing in expanding their operations and creating jobs in the Empire State due to Governor Cuomo's commitment to improving the business climate,” said Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Kenneth Adams. “The company’s $20 million investment represents a strong commitment to East Syracuse and 40 new jobs for the region, demonstrating that this expansion will pave the way for continued growth and improved sales. ESD is proud to support INFICON and we look forward to a continued partnership that will foster regional economic growth in Central New York.”
The CNYREDC identified the INFICON project as a regional priority as it aligns with the Council’s strategic plan for economic growth by attracting investment, particularly in the high-tech industry, and providing employment and economic opportunities that will facilitate the retention of college graduates in Central New York.
"INFICON is competing and thriving on a global stage," said Robert M. Simpson, president of CenterState CEO and co-chair of the CNYREDC. "INFICON's success is driven by its determination to continually reach new customers and export to markets around the world. Our Regional Council identified this expansion as a priority project because improving connections to the global economy is a key goal to help create new, high-paying jobs and build wealth in Central New York."
INFICON’s operations have successfully leveraged local resources at the Manufacturer’s Association of Central New York (MACNY) and at Syracuse University to improve lean manufacturing skills, resulting in more than a 50 percent productivity increase in recent years. INFICON exports to more than 50 countries and has grown 300 percent over the last decade. In 2013, the company won the President’s E Award for superior performance in export growth and was the only New York State manufacturer to receive this prestigious honor.
The retention of INFICON in Central New York will result in opportunities well beyond the number of net new jobs created. Within the next ten years, 30 percent of the company’s employees will be of retirement age. Both the jobs resulting from natural attrition and new jobs resulting from the expansion project will require workers with college degrees, providing significant opportunities for locally-educated students. The company has an ongoing program actively working with local universities, providing student internships, and hiring numerous local college students, as well as providing 100 percent tuition reimbursement to employees that continue their education.
Senator John A. DeFrancisco, a member of the Central New York Regional Economic Development Council, says, “The REDC has worked hard to identify the projects that can have a real impact on the economic growth of the region. INFICON’s expansion of operations in East Syracuse is great news for the entire Central New York community, since the project will help retain 240 existing jobs and create dozens of new, high-paying jobs.”
Assembly Member Sam Roberts said, "This is a great example of the public and private sectors working together to save and create high tech jobs. I look forward to continuing to work with the governor to utilize the unique resources and strong workforce of Central New York to grow our economy."
Onondaga County Executive Joanne Mahoney said, “INFICON is one our community's most innovative companies and we are proud that they have again chosen to invest in Onondaga County. Today's announcement is also further testament that Governor Cuomo's Regional Economic Development Councils are working by leveraging public dollars to spur private investment and create jobs right here in Upstate New York.”
About INFICON
INFICON is a leading provider of innovative instrumentation, critical sensor technologies, and advanced process control software that enhance productivity and quality in sophisticated industrial vacuum processes. These analyses, measurement and control products are essential for gas leak detection in air conditioning/refrigeration and automotive manufacturing. They are vital to equipment manufacturers and end-users in the complex fabrication of semiconductors and thin film coatings for optics, flat panel displays, solar cells and industrial vacuum coating applications. Other users of the company’s vacuum-based processes include the life sciences, research, aerospace, packaging, heat treatment, laser cutting and many other industrial processes. INFICON is headquartered in Switzerland and has world-class manufacturing facilities in Europe, the United States and China, as well as subsidiaries in China, Finland, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Liechtenstein, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and the United States. For more information about INFICON and its products, please visit http://www.inficon.com.